Over  9,000 participants unleashed their greatness across three categories at the Southstar Drug and Maxicare 14th Run For Wellness

Greatness Unleashed: Here's How Runners Are Going Beyond Their Wellness Journey

 

Southstar Drug and Maxicare Healthcare Corporation’s Run For Wellness officially kicked off last June 22 at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, where participants unleashed greatness and filled the university grounds with buzzing energy as they celebrated each other's journey to wellness and healthier lifestyles.

The yearly anticipated running event’s first leg finished strong and drew over 9,000 participants, making it the biggest number of runner turnout both for a Run For Wellness leg and for a run held in UP Diliman. From first-timers to seasoned enthusiasts, everyone found their stride across the 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km categories and enjoyed a fun and relaxing run in the stretch of the known running hub’s rich greenery, rain or shine.

"For us, 'Unleashing Greatness' isn't just a theme," stated Thaddeus Sanchez, General Manager of Southstar Drug. "We believe everyone has the potential for a healthier and more active life, so we designed Run For Wellness to be that inclusive, impactful spark to help Filipinos discover and achieve their personal best in wellness."

From Left to Right: Maxicare Chairman Roberto Macasaet Jr, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. Chairman Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Equicom Group Chairman Antonio L. Go, University of the Philippines Diliman Vice Chancellor Jerwin Agpaoa, University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez,  UP Diliman Health Service Director Olivia Basuel, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and CEO Stanley Co, Maxicare President and CEO Christian S. Argos, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc Group General Manager for Drugstore Segment Joanne Dawn Arceo, Southstar Drug General Manager Thaddeus Sanchez

To continue their advocacy on healthcare and wellness, Southstar Drug and Maxicare Healthcare Corporation donated Php 1,000,000 worth of equipment to UP Diliman’s Health Service and Security Departments, under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs. This was received by UP Diliman Vice Chancellor Jerwin Agpaoa, UP President Angelo Jimenez, and UP Diliman Health Service Director Olivia Basuel.

Meanwhile, one of the thousand participants who embraced the challenge is mom and content creator Marga Banaga, who joined the 5 km category. “This is my first official run, and I did it in 38 minutes. It was such a rewarding feeling because eleven months ago, I was 60 pounds heavier and I would not be able to do something like this,” she said. “The energy today, the crowd, and the community gave me the push. It was fulfilling completing the run and seeing how far I've come with my wellness journey.”

Among the attendees are experienced runners and athletes as well as influencers and celebrities known for their health advocacies, such as Gabbi Garcia, Sam YG, Jo Sebastian, Pat Rubin, Enjay Aba, Kath Figuracion, and more.

Kapuso It Girl, Gabbi Garcia, joined novice and experienced runners at the Southstar Drug and Maxicare 14th Run For Wellness at UP Diliman

“When it comes to wellness, I don’t pressure myself or treat it as a race. It’s more of a commitment to staying healthy. You view it as a change of lifestyle,” said Gabbi, who led the warm-ups for the 5 km race. “Thank you so much to Southstar Drug and Maxicare for these kinds of events where everyone can be one in wellness.”

Southstar Drug and Maxicare’s partner brands also joined the fun by setting up sampling booths at the Run For Wellness Race Village, where freebies and treats were offered to the finishers and participants.

"This event is a powerful reminder that taking charge of your health can be an enjoyable and communal journey," said Raymond Hernandez, Chief Customer Officer of Maxicare Healthcare Corporation.

Champions for wellness

The top three male and female participants who finished their respective categories with the fastest times were awarded medals and a cash prize. For Mea Gey Niñura, clinching the first place in the women’s 10 km category is an unexpected feat given that a lot of elite runners also joined this year’s Run For Wellness.

“I just ran my best,” said the former member of the UP Women’s Track and Field Team-turned personal trainer. She advised beginners and aspiring runners to just continue what they’re doing and stay motivated to achieve their fitness goals.

James Darrel Orduña, now a 2-time first placer in the Run For Wellness men’s 5 km category, is nothing but elated to get another podium finish. He trains for various competitions every day, and according to him, the fulfillment that comes with winning is one of his motivations to work harder.

“Consistency is really the key. I believe that if you love what you do, you can reach your goals as well,” he added.

Run For Wellness continues to be a great starting point for anyone looking to live healthier and more actively. With Southstar Drug and Maxicare at the forefront, the event built a community where people from all walks of life felt inspired to take charge of their well-being and find the confidence to unleash greatness on their own journey.

Catch the next leg of Run For Wellness in Naga City, happening in September 2025. More information about the start of registration will be up soon on Southstar Drug’s social media pages, so stay tuned!

Mall goers visited the ConcepStore pop-up just in time for the holiday season. From online store to a pop-up store, Concepcion Industrial Corporation opens their ConcepStore’s Pop-up held on November 16, 2024 at the  Level 1 of Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig City.

ConcepStore Pop-Up: Your One-Stop Shop for Innovative Gifts that Inspire

Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC), the leading provider of home and enterprise technology, is reimagining the holiday shopping experience with its three-month ConcepStore pop-up at Ayala Malls Feliz. Bringing a curated selection of gift-worthy products directly to consumers, the first ever ConcepStore pop-up offers a unique opportunity to interact with exclusive innovations from top brands like SharkNinja, Carrier, Condura, Toshiba, and Midea.

ConcepStore, CIC's comprehensive online appliance store, offers a wide variety of products tailored to the modern Filipino home. Focused on providing individuals and families with the best possible experience, ConcepStore provides personalized shopping assistance throughout the holiday season and beyond. Dedicated personal shoppers can guide customers in finding the perfect presents for loved ones, managing the entire process from order placement and gift wrapping to delivery.

The Ayala Malls Feliz pop-up enhances this unmatched customer experience, offering hands-on interaction with cutting-edge lifestyle solutions available exclusively through ConcepStore. Free product demonstrations further enrich the shopping experience.

Enjoy live demos of exclusive products, including the SharkNinja FlexStyle and Cordless EvoPower vacuum.

Ninja Ice Cream Maker

Free product live demonstration.

With a big smile.  Each winners received unique home appliance.

Buyers can avail a big discount of up to 40% on each appliance purchase onsite. 

Please transact only to the store personnel to avail the discount.

 

“At ConcepStore, we share unique products that simplify daily tasks in smart, creative ways,” said Raul Joseph A. Concepcion, Chairman and President of CIC. “Our pop-up allows customers a tangible experience with highly curated technological solutions.”

SharkNinja: Innovation in Action

A highlight of the pop-up is the showcase of exclusive products from SharkNinja, the ultimate go-to brand for everyday needs, enhancing efficiency and delivering exceptional results. Gift-givers can experience the versatility of the Shark FlexStyle all-in-one styling tool and the powerful performance of the Shark EvoPower System cordless stick vacuum that’s complete with a self-cleaning feature to make tidying up a breeze. Other featured SharkNinja products include the Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker and the Ninja Blast Portable Blender – both of which remain popular gift options.

 

Diverse Home Solutions

Beyond SharkNinja, the pop-up includes a special selection of presents from CIC's other top brands. Carrier, known as “The Air Authority” brand, is featuring their Portable Stainless Steel Ice Maker (with over 10,000 units sold), a simple yet practical gift option, ideal for celebrations and weekend trips, alongside their best-selling 12L Dehumidifier, perfect for keeping leather goods, artwork, and other important investments free from mold or damage.

Condura, a local brand emphasizing durable, value for money products and the market leader in refrigerators, is showcasing various appliances. Holiday shoppers can enjoy the 3-in-1 Hand Blender, a multifunctional device for various kitchen uses; the Steam Air Fryer, which combines two healthy cooking methods to give you food that’s juicy on the inside while maintaining crisp on the outside; and the Infrared Barbecue Grill for speedy indoor grilling.

From Toshiba, a trusted name in Japanese technology, find practical gift ideas like the Bottom Load Water Dispenser with UV Light, helpful for keeping little ones safe from harmful substances that may infiltrate drinking water. Midea, a world leading brand offering stylish products anchored in technical expertise, provides useful cleaning tools such as the M7 Robot Vacuum, great for those constantly on-the-go and unable to find time to tidy their homes. Find these and more gift-worthy items online at www.concepstore.ph!

Ultimately, the ConcepStore pop-up at Ayala Malls Feliz allows shoppers to discover the latest in home and lifestyle technology from CIC's trusted brands, making it the ideal one-stop shop for meaningful, unique gifts.

Tala Philippines conducted their 13th TALAkayan workshop together with financial literacy advocate and money expert Salve Duplito held last July 13, 2024, at the Trinoma Activity Center, Quezon City. Ms. Salvi shared useful tips in allocating budget properly and managing debt as well as some basic concepts in investing and starting a business to aspiring and budding entrepreneurs, and MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) owners.

Tala helps advance financial literacy among Filipinos with TALAkayan workshops

Do you already own a business or planning to put a new one? How about managing your finances and have struggled in budgeting? Do you know what will happen to your money in 3, 6, 12 months or more? I guess not. Unless you have a proper education and a good background in money management.

We are living in a world today where information is readily available and accessible with the use of internet. But, learning face-to-face is a different level when it comes to financial literacy.  And one of the best approaches is through a seminar and workshops where active participation is encouraged between the speaker and the attendees.

This post is about the recently concluded TALAkayan workshops organized by TALA Philippines held last July 13, 2024, at the Trinoma Activity Center, Quezon City. The majority of the participants were aspiring and budding entrepreneurs, and MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) owners. Also some of the mall-goers attended the event.

Tala, the world’s first fintech company for the Global Majority, understands the importance of financial literacy to accelerate financial inclusion. In response to the need for stronger financial education in the country, TALA Philippines rolled out TALAkayan, a series of workshops together with financial literacy advocate and money expert Salve Duplito where participants can learn money management skills and be equipped with useful tools for their financial journey.

(L-R) Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mr. Moritz Gastl, General Manager of Tala Philippines; Ms. Salve Duplito - Founder and President of Empower and Transform; Ms Josefina Natividad Co-Founder of ISKAPARATE; and Missy |Santos, Tala Philippines Senior Marketing Manager; during the opening of 13th TALAkayan workshop held last July 13, 2024, at the Trinoma Activity Center, Quezon City.

Ms. Salve Duplito, Financial Beshie ng Bayan

Each workshop is designed in a way that is interactive and catered to the needs of the respective audiences, using examples and scenarios that are relatable and relevant to their everyday life to make learning more effective. Some of the most recent TALAkayan workshops were conducted among CCT (conditional cash transfer) beneficiaries in Pasig City, and women and mothers in Quezon City.

 

One of the presentation where Ms. Salve talked about is the Vision Board: A Life that Give You Joy.

The Vision Board: A Life that Give You Joy is like what do you want to have when reach 60 years old or before you reach this age. This was a lively discussion between Ms. Duplito and the participants.  She encouraged them to put them in to the piece of paper. After a period of time, she collected them all.  Some were revealed thru "pinoy  henyo" approach like "to have a farm and a lot" and "to travel around the world" 

Yours truly seems to it impossible for a person who works 8/5 a day that is dependent on his/her hard earned money.  But with financial education and money management, yes, this is possible. 

Tala Philippines at the Trinoma Activity Center

According to Moritz Gastl, General Manager of Tala Philippines, "“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of financial literacy and education in achieving your goals and unlocking your full potential. Whether it’s to start your own business, support the needs of your family or achieve financial stability, awareness of basic finance and budgeting concepts is key to managing your finances better.”

(center) Moritz Gastl, General Manager of Tala Philippines.

Aside from the TALAkayan, there is an exhibit that displayed products from 17 local brands and enterprises from Iskaparate Network and Teleradyo Serbisyo's (DWPM Radyo 630) show, Panalong Diskarte, was organized to inspire more entrepreneurial Filipinos to venture into business and encourage consumers to support homegrown MSMEs. Some f which are the following:

Telebrico's Handicrafts

OBRA

Daniels Handicraft

By boosting financial literacy and education in the country, Tala is steadfast in its commitment to bridge the financial gap for the Global Majority and unleash their economic potential.

Salve Duplito and her team

TALAkayan with Salve Duplito, Ang Financial Beshie ng Bayan

“Access to financial education is very important for all Filipinos, and I’m glad that Tala is able to extend this opportunity to entrepreneurial mothers, housewives, and individuals through the TALAkayan workshop. We hope that through this, we can help them in improving their business and financial lives, in general.” - Salve Duplito, Founder and President of Empower and Transform.

Tala holds financial education workshop and MSME exhibit to champion entrepreneurship

Get to know and see the different home-grown and self-made businesses & entrepreneurs that are part of the Iskaparate network on exhibit on July 13 at the Level 1 Activity Center in Trinoma from 10AM - 10PM

Empower and Transform Founder and President Salve Duplito is on a mission to disrupt the Philippine financial landscape through financial education and literacy. Together with her team, they conduct each workshop with activities that’s informative, inspirational and relatable to their audience.

TALA Philippines, in partnership with Empower and Transform, held different financial education workshops for Filipinos, empowering their financial journey towards financial freedom. One of the key highlights of the workshop was when participants were asked to create a vision board about their goals and dreams.

HONOR Experience Store Grand opening at SM Center Angono, Rizal on January 20, 2024

HONOR Starts the Year with Smashing Sales for HONOR X9b 5G, Opens Newest Store in SM Angono!

The viral All-Angle Ultra-Tough HONOR X9b 5G is now officially available in-store and online for only Php 16,999!

After gaining much virality on its newest product, the leading global provider of smart devices, HONOR, officially kicks off the sale day of HONOR X9b 5G for only Php 16,999 in all HONOR Experience Stores and Online Partner Stores via Lazada, Shopee, and Tiktok Shop. 

HONOR X9b 5G pre-order claims at SM North EDSA and SM Angono Rizal

“We envisioned HONOR X9b 5G to be even bigger than our previous campaigns – for it to be known more than ‘HONOR X9a 5G’s predecessor.’ Much to our delight, we have received overwhelming demand of offline and online pre-orders from our HONOR fans since the announcement of its availability in the Philippine Market. Until today, a huge volume of shoppers lined up at our Experience Stores to purchase their own HONOR X9b 5G. This is just the start of the year, and we couldn’t be more thankful for all the support for HONOR,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

HONOR Philippines Sets Foot in Angono, Rizal

HONOR X9b 5G’s first day sale was marked with another milestone event – the Grand Opening of the brand’s first Experience Store of the year at SM Center Angono. HONOR community and fans saw firsthand the all-angle durability of HONOR X9b 5G through a series of smash tests. The program was initiated by HONOR Philippines’ Brand Marketing Manager, Joepy Libo-on, who mentioned: “HONOR is set to GO BEYOND this 2024 and we promise to bring our Experience Stores closer to more HONOR Fans all over the country.”

Consumers can now get their own All-Angle Ultra-Tough HONOR X9b 5G at an affordable price of Php 16,999. Equipped with the cutting-edge HONOR Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display, the HONOR X9b 5G ensures outstanding durability and stability – perfect for today’s fast-paced and adventurous generation of smartphone users.

Experience the HONOR X9b 5G in three stunning colors:  Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Sunrise Orange with a stunning Vegan Leather finish. Purchase yours through HONOR’s Experience Stores and Online Partner Stores via Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_X9b_PressRelease), Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_X9b_PressRelease), and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_X9b_PressRelease).

Good news for HONOR Fans! You can get your own HONOR X9b 5G with Home Credit and Skyro for 0% interest! Also for Globe Postpaid Subscribers, you can apply or upgrade with GPlan 1299 to enjoy Unli All-net Calls and Text and 8GB All-access Data for a one-time cash out of Php 3,300 only! Get it online or head over now to any Globe physical store!

To know more about the complete features of HONOR X9b 5G, you may visit: https://bit.ly/HONORPH_X9b_Pressrelease and head on to HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms for exciting announcements: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

Southstar Drug x Maxicare partnered for the first Run For Wellness event in Manila. Present during the event are: (From left to right) Host Rizza Diaz, Runrio President and Chief Executive Officer Rio Dela Cruz, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. Chief Operating Officer Stanley Co, Southstar Drug General Manager Mariel Crisostomo, Maxicare Chairman Roberto Macasaet Jr.,  Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Equicom Group Chairman Antonio Go, University of the Philippines Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, Department of Health Public Relations Officer and Head Executive Assistant  Maria Liavel Badillo-Crisostomo, Maxicare President and Chief Executive Officer Christian Argos, Host Vince Velasco

4 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health and Live Your Best Life

Being healthy and feeling good is not just about hitting the gym or eating your veggies. It’s also about finding the right balance in the things shaping your life, including your mental health, interpersonal relationships, and the aspirations that push you to continue moving forward every day.

If you’re looking to start taking care of yourself more holistically, here are some habits you can give a shot. Take these small steps today on your way to living your best life.

Be more mindful of what you eat

The food you eat fuels you to take on your roles every day, may it be at home, the workplace or your community. As such, it’s important to make sure that whatever you eat and drink is good for your body. There are 101 ways to incorporate whole and nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables as well as good sources of protein and fats in your meals without making them “boring” or repetitive. You can still enjoy a good, hearty meal without the guilt while being creative and resourceful with your ingredients.

Redefine self-care

It’s time to stop equating self-care to just pampering and indulgence, and relate it to ways that one can improve their well-being and cope with the stresses of everyday life. For example, in order to have adequate and quality sleep every night, you might need the right pillows or sheets, a 5-step bedtime routine or essential oils—you can consider that as self-care. Going out with friends or even just yourself to unwind is another form of self-care that isn’t talked about just as much.

Learn to manage stress

Undeniably, life can be stressful at times. And while we cannot avoid it, there are many ways to alleviate stress, which can also manifest physically when not managed. Remember, it’s okay to take a break when you feel like you need one! Meditating and practicing mindfulness regularly allow you to stay in the present and to learn to reduce negative emotions amidst stressful situations. Having an outlet like a journal or a creative hobby is also a healthy way to destress from a long day.

Stay active

One of the most effective (and free) ways to get an endorphin rush is through exercise. Endorphins are a feel-good hormone that helps you reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve your mood. Aside from making you feel good, being physically active allows you to manage your weight, minimize health risks, and make your body stronger.

Exercising doesn’t have to be a burden. If going to the gym is not for you, there are other ways you can try that can cater to your personal preferences and routine just like running. Running is one of the best cardio exercises you can do and it’s very easy to add to your daily routine. Whether it’s indoors using a treadmill or outdoors around your neighborhood, its benefits to your physical and mental health are unprecedented.

Runners and participants kick off the first Run for Wellness event in Manila at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

To embrace the first step in their journey toward their best life, over 5,300 participants composed of seasoned runners, beginners, kids, families, and people from various backgrounds gathered at the starting line of Run for Wellness last August 13, 2023 at UP Diliman, Quezon City. This event was held jointly by Southstar Drug and Maxicare to kick off their pioneering wellness initiative.

Run for Wellness, now in its 12th year, aims to promote physical health and mental well-being among Filipinos. This was the first time Run for Wellness featured a Metro Manila leg in addition to the traditional location in Naga City, Camarines Sur, which is scheduled for September 10, 2023.

Southstar Drug and Maxicare, as champions of health and wellness, have partnered to support consumers in their journey toward a healthier and happier life. By offering an extensive selection of health essentials and world-class health services, they aim to be reliable companions, "Kasama sa Best Life," for Filipinos.

Visit southstardrug.com.ph and maxicare.com.ph to know more.